Northern Black Korhaan

About

The Northern Black Korhaan is a medium-sized bustard endemic to Southern Africa, known for its striking black and white plumage, particularly in males. It is typically found in open grasslands and karoo shrublands, where its cryptic coloration helps it blend into the environment. Males perform elaborate aerial displays during the breeding season.

Size & lifespan

Length

50-58 cm

Wingspan

Approximately 100-110 cm

Weight

Male: 600-800 g, Female: 500-700 g

Lifespan

Up to 10-15 years in the wild

Diet

Omnivore (primarily insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult males are predominantly black on the head, neck, and underparts, with a prominent white patch on the cheek and a white V-shape on the upper mantle. The upperparts are mottled brown and black. Females are duller, with a buffy-brown head and neck, streaked with black, and a less distinct white cheek patch. Their underparts are buffy-white with dark streaking on the breast. Both sexes have black primary flight feathers and white secondary flight feathers, creating a striking black and white pattern in flight.

Beak shape

Relatively short, stout, and slightly decurved, dark grey to black.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dull yellow to greenish-yellow.

Distinguishing features

Males are unmistakable with their all-black underparts and white cheek patch. Females are distinguished by their streaked buffy-brown head and breast, and the white wing patches visible in flight.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler and more heavily streaked, with less distinct markings. The white cheek patch is often absent or very faint.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round, though wear and tear can make colors appear duller.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males are larger and have much more striking black and white plumage, especially on the head, neck, and underparts. Females are duller, with buffy-brown and streaked plumage.

How to identify

1. 1

   Male Plumage

   Look for the striking black head, neck, and underparts, contrasted sharply with a prominent white cheek patch and a white V-shape on the upper mantle. Upperparts are mottled brown.

2. 2

   Female Plumage

   Observe the buffy-brown head and neck with dark streaking, and buffy-white underparts with dark streaking on the breast. The white cheek patch is less distinct or absent compared to the male.

3. 3

   Flight Pattern

   When flushed, note the strong, direct flight and the distinctive black primary and white secondary flight feathers, creating a bold black and white wing pattern.

4. 4

   Vocalizations

   Listen for the male's loud, far-carrying 'krrack-krrack-krrack' call, especially during its aerial display flight.

5. 5

   Habitat

   Search in open grasslands, karoo shrublands, and cultivated fields, where they are often seen walking or running on the ground.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Grasslands, Karoo shrublands, open savannas, cultivated fields.

Geographic range

Endemic to Southern Africa, primarily found in South Africa (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo), and extending into southern Namibia and Botswana.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 1800 meters.

Preferred environments

Prefers open, flat to gently undulating terrain with short to medium-height grass and scattered shrubs. Avoids dense bush or tall woodlands.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the cooler parts of the morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Forages on the ground, walking slowly and picking up insects, small reptiles, amphibians, and plant material. Diet includes beetles, grasshoppers, termites, caterpillars, small lizards, and seeds, leaves, and flowers. They often scratch at the soil to uncover prey.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs. During the breeding season, males become highly territorial. Outside of breeding, small family groups may be observed.

Flight pattern

Typically reluctant to fly, preferring to walk or run when disturbed. When it does fly, it has a strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats, often characterized by the striking black and white pattern of its wings. Males perform spectacular display flights during breeding season, involving steep ascents and descents with loud calls.

Migration pattern

Sedentary and resident throughout its range, with no significant migratory movements. Local movements may occur in response to rainfall and food availability.

Territoriality

Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending their display and nesting areas with vocalizations and aerial displays.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Primarily August to March, peaking after good rains, but can breed opportunistically throughout the year if conditions are favorable.

Nesting habits

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often at the base of a grass tussock or small shrub, providing some concealment. No elaborate nest structure is built.

Clutch size

1-2 eggs

Egg description

Typically 1-2 eggs, rarely 3. Eggs are olive-brown to greenish-brown, heavily spotted and blotched with darker brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage.

Incubation period

Approximately 24-28 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are able to feed themselves within a few days but remain with the female for several weeks, fledging (able to fly) at around 5-6 weeks.

Parental care

Mainly by the female. She incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks. Males may remain in the vicinity of the nest but typically do not participate directly in incubation or chick-rearing.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan Open Areas. These birds prefer open ground. Use binoculars to scan large expanses of grassland or karoo for their distinctive shapes.
2. Listen for Calls. During the breeding season, the male's loud display call is often the first indication of its presence, even before it is seen.
3. Look for Movement. They are often cryptic when stationary. Look for subtle movements as they walk and forage, or when they flush and fly.
4. Early Morning/Late Afternoon. Activity levels are highest during the cooler parts of the day, making these the best times for observation.

Similar species

Quick facts

Status:

Least Concern

Diet:

Omnivorous (insects, small vertebrates, plant matter)

Habitat:

Open grasslands, Karoo shrublands

Breeding:

Ground-nesting, 1-2 eggs

Sexual Dimorphism:

Strongly dimorphic

Fun facts

• The male's spectacular aerial display, involving steep ascents and descents accompanied by loud calls, is a key part of its courtship ritual.
• Despite being a bustard, a family known for strong flight, the Northern Black Korhaan often prefers to run or walk away from danger rather than fly.
• Their cryptic plumage allows them to blend remarkably well into their grassland and karoo environments, making them surprisingly difficult to spot despite their size.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Otidiformes

Family

Otididae

Genus

Afrotis

Species

afraoides

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